In this crypto CFD showdown, HFM and Pepperstone both offer regulated access through MT4/MT5 and other platforms, but their asset breadth and live support channels diverge.
HFM and Pepperstone are closely matched overall across regulation, platforms, and support. The clearest differentiator is coin selection, where HFM offers 50 crypto CFDs versus Pepperstone's 30.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose HFM if…
Choose HFM if you want phone support and a larger crypto CFD library.
Choose Pepperstone if…
Choose Pepperstone if you value 24/5 live chat support and transparent pricing.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Pepperstone has a broader regulatory footprint including ASIC, BaFin, and FMA.
Pepperstone offers transparent pricing for clearer cost assessment.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Taker Fee | 6.00%▼ lower | 7.00% |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | HFM | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Fail |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: HFM rates 3.9/5 and Pepperstone rates 4/5. Pepperstone has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Both HFM and Pepperstone list the same spread figure of 0. Compare each exchange's full fee schedule, including maker/taker rates and any volume discounts, to evaluate total trading costs.
Neither HFM nor Pepperstone requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both HFM and Pepperstone hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each exchange's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each exchange's site before deciding.
HFM offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Pepperstone's 2:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
HFM charges $6 per trade, lower than Pepperstone's $7 per trade. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day. Crypto fees are typically quoted as maker/taker rates rather than fixed per-trade commissions; check each exchange's fee schedule for volume-based discounts.
HFM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Pepperstone supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Pepperstone has exclusive access to cTrader and IRESS and TradingView.
HFM offers no minimum deposit and multilingual 24/5 support.
Equally matched; neither offers DeFi access or NFT trading.
| 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| 0.7 pips |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA FSCA DFSA CySEC | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA BaFin CySEC |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | No |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | No |
|---|
| Staking | No | No |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | No |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | No | No |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | No |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | No |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | No |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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